Syrian Troops Kill Two Israeli Fishermen on Lake Tiberias

Two Israeli fishermen on Lake Tiberias were shot dead today by Syrian troops on the shores of the Lake north of Ein Geb who opened fire without warning. A third fisherman escaped the ambush and returned to the Israeli settlement to tell his story.

Israeli representatives on the Israeli-Syrian Mixed Armistice Commission have communicated with Col. Samuel Taxis. United Nations chairman of the commission, asking for an immediate meeting of the mixed group. The Israeli message to Col. Taxis, an American, described the shootings as “a flagrant violation of the armistice agreement and unjustified murder. “

An official communique issued here today says that the fishing boat was more than 600 feet from shore when automatic rifle fire was directed at it. The two men were killed immediately, while the third saved himself by dropping to the bottom of the boat. None of the three Israelis was armed.